O’Brien: I would say the first step is to clean up your social media profile.
So, make sure there’s nothing funny on your Facebook, on your twitter, on your Instagram.
Get your CV updated, get your Linkedin profile updated, and start spreading the word.
So get a network of people that you know would vouch for you, to start keeping an eye out for a role for you.
Labuschagne: When preparing for an interview,
make sure that you do proper research on the company that you are attending the interview with,
by visiting the website, and gaining a good level of knowledge about the company.
Also make sure that you study the job description,
and compare your skills and knowledge to the job description.
Also prepare yourself for possible interview questions.
Grobbelaar: The clothes that you should wear should be neat clothes;
it should be your best clothes in your cupboard.
And also make sure the clothes are ironed and clean.
If you’re looking at a corporate institution, for let’s say a bank institution,
then you would definitely wear a very corporate outfit, blazer,
and then we usually look at not wearing very bright colours.
If you look at going for a graphic design interview, then it will be more smart casual.
O’Brien: The first thing I would say is make sure you don’t smoke on your way to the interview.
Turn your cell phone off as soon as you get into the company’s offices.
Make you don’t accept coffee when you get there.
Because the interview might be over and you’re still sitting with a cup of coffee in your hand.
Hitchcock: When you’re in an interview room or a waiting room, don’t lay back, you need to be relaxed,
but we’ve had it in the past where people just kick off their shoes, or they’re just laying back.
I mean that’s a no go.
You must be proud of yourselves, you must sit up straight.
Look professional.
Labuschagne: During an interview you are firstly being judged on your punctuality.
You are also judged on your communication, and your interaction skills,
as well how you present yourselves during an interview.
O’Brien: I’m not sure if it is being judged, because at the end of the day,
what a company is looking for is the right person for the job.
So they’re not there to trip you up.
But if I had to say what they are looking at, they’re looking at if you’re competent to fit into the role,
and, secondly, if you’re able to fit into the team if there is that culture fit.
O’Brien: You want to let your personality come through.
You want to let your enthusiasm for the job and the company come through.
Grobbelaar: Honesty. Honesty is very important during interviews.
If you did not work for a year, just be honest about why you didn’t work.
It definitely gives me an indication that you are honest, you will be loyal,
and you’re an open book, there’s nothing that you are hiding at this stage.
O’Brien: You want to speak truthfully.
I think quite often we find people don’t know what’s on their own CV.
So be able to match up what you’re capable of doing to what the role is requiring.
Take a pen and paper with you so you can jot down some questions and some notes.
Grobbelaar: I think it’s also nice if a candidate can sit down with you and they ask a few questions.
It’s not very nice just sitting there and asking all the questions. So, ask questions.
George: Answer every question in full sentences;
it will give you the opportunity to tell more about yourself and give us more details about yourself.
And also to tell stories, and by that we mean to market yourself.
Grobbelaar: And be involved during the interview.
You, at the end of the day, are going to be the person who's going to work at the company.
So find out as much as you can during the interview.
Hitchcock: There’s a few things, hey.
It's quite a long topic.
The first thing I would say is you must not be late.
It’s appropriate to be 10 minutes, 15 minutes before the time.
You should be there.
Grobbelaar: The worst thing is when someone walks into an interview
and they are constantly negative about everything on their CV, reasons why they left companies.
So, positive attitude is really a plus point.
Hitchcock: And then it’s important to ask questions, but what questions?
Don’t ask stuff like ‘what time is lunch time?’ ‘How many minutes do I get for lunch or tea time?’ ‘When is holiday?’
That immediately shows you that you not ready for the job.
That you’re more interested in the days off.
O’Brien: Don’t focus on money.
Don’t diss your ex-boss.
And my favourite saying really is Calvin Coolidge’s saying which is
“no one has ever listened themselves out of a job.”
Don’t waffle, just answer the questions directly and succinctly.
O’Brien: And lastly, turn looking for a job into your job.
Do it for 8 hours a day. And don’t lose hope, the right position is out there for you.
Just keep looking.
Grobbelaar: First of all I would say be confident.
You are interview the company as much as they are interviewing you.
This is your future, so you need to make sure that when applying for an position and going for a interview,
that you feel comfortable in all the situations during the interview.
And lastly, I would say be yourself give it your all, and be prepared.
You need to make the best of it.